"Xingyun, you are free now, how about this painting?"
Song Yunji [Empress] pushed Li Xingyun's shoulder and motioned him to look at the landscape and pastoral painting she had just painted. The brand-new scroll still had a faint smell of ink.
"Huh?"
Li Xingyun felt the push on his shoulder and looked in the direction of her green-white fingers.
Looking up.
He saw an ink-color landscape painting, with every flower, leaf, plant and tree, lifelike. If it accidentally spread to the outside world, it would be the kind of painting treasure that is hard to find.
"Queen, what you are painting is... a simple rural pastoral life. It seems that you have indeed visited these places in person and lived there for a period of time."
"Looking at this painting quietly, there are mountains and rivers, the sunset in the west, the setting sun in an isolated village, the light smoke in the old trees, jackdaws, under the shadow of a flying red, the green mountains and green waters, white grass, red leaves and yellow flowers."
"This painting, even if it is not as good as the original work handed down by the painting saint Wu Daozi, is still hundreds of times better than that of ordinary painters. Queen, you have already mastered Taoism in this painting skill."
Li Xingyun evaluated the painting seriously, and he did not praise Song Yunji [Empress] against his will.
He knows it very well and sees it clearly.
That is, among all her women, she is the most talented one.
Martial arts, statecraft, music, chess, calligraphy and painting, basically proficient in everything.
Although sometimes her personality is a little stronger, she still cannot hide her own talents.
"You're quite good at complimenting people. I didn't expect you to be so sweet." Song Yunji [Empress] looked a little surprised.
"Don't you know, Queen, whether my mouth is sweet or not?" Li Xingyun raised his eyebrows deliberately.
Finished.
Li Xingyun ignored Song Yunji [Empress]'s struggle to resist and welcome her, and leaned forward and took a small bite on the corner of her bright red mouth.
But just when he had stopped tasting and was about to step back, a pair of slender jade arms tightly hugged his neck and wouldn't let go.
Sweet to the heart, like honey.
After a few minutes passed.
"It's really sweet, now I know." Song Yunji [Empress] slowly let go of Li Xingyun.
"Cough cough cough... Crazy bitch, you... I can't hold my breath like you." Li Xingyun coughed several times.
Song Yunji [Empress] ignored Li Xingyun’s complaints.
She thought to herself and said: "Xingyun, I remember that when I was young, I followed my brother to live in the towns below Fengxiang Mansion for a few months, so I could understand the daily life of the people. During that time, I was very happy and blessed." "But I was the only one who was happy. At that time, my brother had already been granted the titles of Wuding, Fengxiang, Longyou Jiedushi and Longxi County Prince. However, those people had to face the loess with their backs to the sky every day, and their lives were really hard.
."
"They don't have high requirements. As long as they can survive and have a little surplus food at home after paying taxes every year, they are already very grateful to the court. As long as there are people who stutter, they will never have the idea of rebellion."
"But kings are born to be aloof. Who can notice them who are as small as dust? Just like Emperor Hui of Jin in the Western Jin Dynasty, he even said why not eat minced meat. This sentence is enough to be passed down through the ages."
Halfway through.
Song Yunji [Empress] suddenly turned around and asked: "Xingyun, when you were young, the Li Tang royal family was destroyed, Zhu Wen and his son usurped power, and you were wandering alone. You should also have seen those ordinary people, facing the loess and back to the sky.
Life?"
Regarding this sudden question, Li Xingyun was silent for thirty-six seconds.
This time, there are odd parts and even parts.
It not only represents the importance he attaches to this issue, but also how much he cares about it.
"See, of course I have seen it, it is bitter, it is indeed bitter. Since the fall of the Tang Dynasty, governors and vassal kings in various places have established themselves as countries and ruled by dividing the land. In addition to household taxes, Ding taxes, rent taxes... each
Taxes are rising again and again, and there are even many unheard-of and unseen exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes."
"Without the great mountain of the Tang Dynasty, the vassal kings and military envoys of various vassal towns acted recklessly, imposed excessive taxes, corvees, and military service, all of which fell on the shoulders of the people of the Tang Dynasty one after another, making them unable to lift their heads and survive.
, is a luxury wish for them."
Li Xingyun's tone sounded very heavy.
Under the rule of Zhu Wen and his son, the common people in Daliang had no way to make a living. Not only did they sell their sons and daughters, but the wealthy families also used all kinds of despicable means to snatch away the few lands they had.
After losing their land and becoming refugees, they were either slaves or maids, or were captured to perform corvee and military service. In short, it was impossible for refugees to have such a thing as freedom.
As for the exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes he mentioned, they were all kinds of taxes collected privately under various clever names. The people had a hard time talking about it. At this time, there was no Bao Qingtian who could make the decision for them.
But even if there is.
That is also Bao Qingtian in the opera. In reality, such people will be marginalized and slandered by corrupt officials. In later generations, a certain Yue Fei and Yue Wumu died for this.
As a common citizen at the bottom, many things are already doomed.
If it’s bitter, eat it.
If you feel wronged, carry on.
People do not fight with officials.
[Taxation and corvee system of the Tang Dynasty]
First-class tax: A tax levied based on the number of people. It is essentially the so-called head tax.
Second household tax: an income property tax based on one household. The household tax must be paid to the court once a year.
Third rent tax: This is a land tax based on acres of land. The rent tax is paid according to the size of the land under your name.
The fourth salt tax: refers specifically to salt-related taxes....
The fifth city tax: specifically refers to the tax for business in the market....
The sixth tariff: specifically refers to the tax at road passes...
Corvee system.
Adult men, that is, men between the ages of fifteen and sixty, if they become refugees because they cannot pay taxes, they have to perform various hard and tiring corvee and military service for free.
However, in troubled times, even a citizen who legally pays taxes may be forcibly taken to perform corvee and military service, and there is a high probability that these people will die during their service.
........
"As the leader of the Qi Kingdom, I have not increased taxes arbitrarily. Even after the fall of the Tang Dynasty, I have continued the tax rate of the previous Tang Dynasty. I have not increased any excessive taxes and miscellaneous taxes, nor have I condoned the arbitrary arrest of people for corvee and military service.
"Song Yunji [Empress] said lightly.
She is not lying. If she were really that kind of foolish and unscrupulous king, the soldiers of the Qi Kingdom would not have such cohesion. Nine out of ten would die, but the spirit of the army would not be separated.
The word tax is more important than Mount Tai.
The foundation of the country and the foundation of the people.
Even if the quality of life of the people living in Qi State is not as good as that of the Tang Dynasty when all the kingdoms came to dynasty, it is definitely much better than that of Daliang under the rule of Zhu Wen and his son.
"I believe you." Li Xingyun nodded slightly.
Then he continued: "I was wandering alone. The days when I was a little beggar... I don't think I was lonely and wandering. There was always a follower named Li Huan taking care of me. He and I
The two of them traveled a long way together and saw with their own eyes the difference between the people of Li under the rule of Qi and Daliang."
"Since you have followers around you, why do you, Xingyun..." Song Yunji [Empress] hesitated to speak.
Li Xingyun knew what she wanted to ask. She just wanted to ask herself, since there were followers around her, how could she be reduced to living on the street and become a little beggar.
Just right.
He also wanted to talk to her about his true feelings and his experiences in those years.
"Because my father Zhaozong Li Ye hates bad people, the follower Li Huan around me is not even a middle star. Without the power bonus of the Li Tang royal family, he can't even let me live a normal life."
I have no ability, and it was normal for me to be bullied along the way. I lived on the streets and worked as a beggar for a while."
"However, I don't blame him. Without him, I would have died long ago. Later, I met Black and White Wuchang of the Xuanming Sect, as well as my junior sister Lu Linxuan and his father Lu Youjie."
"I don't know how the Xuanming Sect learned that the Longquan Sword was in Lu Youjie's possession. In the end, my junior sister's father, Lu Youjie, and Li Huan died trying to save me and my junior sister."
"Thanks to my later master, Uncle Tianli Xingyang, one of the Thirty-Six Lieutenants of the Bad Tiangang School, who arrived in time to scare away Black and White Wuchang, who was still very weak at that time."
"Junior sister's father, Lu Youjie, is also a bad person. He is one of the Thirty-Six Lieutenants of Tiangang. He is also a sworn brother to my master, Uncle Yang."
"Li Huan originally planned to let me become his teacher, but it's a pity..."
Speaking of which.
Li Xingyun shook his head helplessly, not knowing what he was sighing about.
In troubled times, life is like a candle, it will be extinguished if you blow it.
"Later, Xingyun, did you always live with your master, Uncle Yang?" Song Yunji [Empress] continued to ask.
Well....
My man is so pitiful, he was once a beggar. If I could go back in time, I might adopt the little Xingyun who was helpless at that time as a child foster husband.
When the time comes, I will play him every day...
At this time.
Looking at the side face of Song Yunji [the Empress], Li Xingyun always felt that she had some strange thoughts, but after all, he did not want to go deeper.
"That's right, at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, there is a Sword Cottage with pleasant scenery and far away from the world. I, junior sister, and master have lived in this Sword Cottage for many years. Unfortunately, a fire later destroyed everything." Li
Xingyun sighed.
At that time, he was very naive, but also happy.
Li Xingyun believed in his heart that if his current self met his self at that time, he would be able to pin his past self to the ground and rub him with one move.
He understands all his weaknesses, but he who is so high-spirited should not lose.
People are always saying.
You should mature earlier, grow up, and be sensible.
But who knows.
Whether you mature, grow up, or become sensible, you will be accompanied by pain and regret. If you have not experienced pain and regret, how can you deeply understand the hardships of growing up?
"As the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, you can rebuild Jianlu. You can also go back and take a look when you have free time." Song Yunji [Empress] said softly.
"Master is no longer here, and Jianlu is gone too. There is no point in rebuilding it. Now, I only have junior sister left..." Li Xingyun shook his head and said.
"No, it's not just your junior sister, now you also have me." Song Yunji [Empress] said domineeringly.
Finished.
She stretched out her hand and forced Li Xingyun into her arms, letting him silently feel the unique fragrance of her body, comforting this homeless prodigal with her warm heart.
He has no family and no connections, but now he has one.
"Queen, don't be like this. I'm just talking casually and expressing my feelings. Can you please stop treating me like a child? I'm not as fragile as you think."
Li Xingyun pushed Song Yunji [Empress]'s shoulder, but in the end he still couldn't get out of this woman's arms. He didn't know whether he stayed there intentionally or struggled unintentionally.
It's a bit strange to say.
Although she is about ten years older than him, he surprisingly does not dislike her for being older. Instead, he has an indescribable special feeling about her.
Does Li Xingyun really hate older women?
Maybe not, he just hates ugly things.
Big sisters are actually really good at taking care of others.
She knows everything you know, and they will teach you what you don’t understand, step by step, until you master it completely.
More than half a year.
Li Xingyun is also considered romantic, as if he has fallen into the land of girls.
In addition to Song Yunji [Empress] and Ji Ruxue, he and Jiutian Shengji also experienced the complementarity of yin and yang one by one, and their internal strength increased greatly.
.......
"Li Xingyun, privately, I don't want to hear you call me queen again. It will make me feel that you are far away from me and I will never be able to get into your heart. Or do you think I will always be better than you?"
Not going to Ji Ruxue?"
Song Yunji [Empress]'s tone sounded a little serious and serious, and she said the words that had been buried in her heart for several months.
If you marry a chicken, follow the chicken; if you marry a dog, follow the dog.
She gives and loves him with all her heart, and naturally hopes to get a response from him. She does not want their relationship to just stay at the initial political marriage.
To this.
Li Xingyun was stunned for a moment, but it was only for a moment.
The next moment.
He turned his back on his guests, forcibly broke away from her arms, and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Yunji, I don't mean that, and I have never thought about it that way. I just feel that I came to the throne too easily, and there is always a sense of unrealism and illusion."
Li Xingyun's chin rested on Song Yunji's [Empress] forehead, and the tip of his nose was a little itchy because of the black hair on her head, but he liked the feeling of being close together.
"Xingyun, the Tiangang Jue you practice was taught to you by Yuan Tiangang, right?" Song Yunji [Empress] asked.
"Yes, besides my master, Uncle Yang, he is my second master. He has taught me Tiangang Jue, Huayang Acupuncture, and other peerless skills since I was a child."
Li Xingyun did not deny it, but nodded and admitted it.
This is the truth, there is nothing to hide.
"So that's it. I've always wondered why you trust Yuan Tiangang so much and are not afraid of being ousted from the throne by this old monster who has lived for more than three hundred years. It turns out that he and you still have a master-disciple relationship." Song Yunji [Empress] suddenly realized.
.
In the past, there was an inextricable knot between the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the bad handsome man.
The entourage around Prince Li Xingyun of the Tang Dynasty, a direct descendant of the Li Tang royal family, could not even handle a black and white impermanence. If Uncle Yang hadn't appeared in time...
Of course.
Li Xingyun's father, Zhaozong Li Ye, was even more ridiculous. The dignified emperor of the Tang Dynasty died at the hands of the five great kings of hell who were not even small emperors. It was simply the most ridiculous thing in the world.
The bad guy has a great heavenly position, a great heavenly position, and can easily fight among millions of troops.
As long as the Li Tang royal family had more trust in bad people, it would not destroy the country, and even turn the subjugated prince Li Xingyun into a little beggar begging on the street.
"Well, it's not that I'm not afraid. In the Jiao Lan Palace, I once thought about refusing to ascend the throne and proclaim myself emperor." Li Xingyun sighed.
"My Xingyun is not so stupid that she can't even trust her own master." Song Yunji [Empress] said proudly.
As soon as these words came out.
Li Xingyun's face turned blue and white, and he didn't know how to answer her.
Is he stupid?
He is stupid!
Is Tiangang Jue worthless?
Without the Tiangang Jue, how could I be better than my junior sister?
Is Huayang Acupuncture available everywhere?
Without Huayang Acupuncture, I would have died countless times.
Medical books are medical books after all, and studying medicine cannot save the world.
If you want to protect yourself, you still have to rely on your fists.