Chapter 689: Different Ways
An old man who is more than seventy years old is wearing a feather-white linen clothes. The white clothes are as white as snow, and he has a childlike face. He was tall and thin, with a certain air of immortality. He stood in front of the building with his hands behind his back. Prince Li Chengqian stood aside and listened to the teachings.
Fang Jun squinted his eyes, took two steps forward, and saluted: "Fang Jun, pay homage to Mr. Baiyao."
Only a famous minister like Li Baiyao, who was well-known in the world, had deep qualifications, and was the right concubine of the prince, could let the prince Li Chengqian stand aside, perform the courtesy of a disciple, be respectful, and listen to the teachings.
Li Baiyao had a slender face and high cheekbones. He looked very stern, but at this moment he nodded with a smile: "Nowadays, there is a saying in Chang'an, which is that 'giving birth to a child should be like a wife's last love'. Xuanling is so lucky, I really envy her." What a shame!”
Fang Jun quickly said politely: "I'm afraid, Mr. Baiyao, you may have misunderstood. This sentence is not a good word. It is the people in Guanzhong mocking the younger generation. 'Having a child should be like Fang Yiai'. The whole world knows that there is such a stick." Son..."
Li Baiyao was stunned for a moment, then laughed, his white beard trembling.
When the laughter subsided, Li Baiyao said warmly: "Those who achieve great things do not stick to trivial matters. Although Fang Erlang is open-minded and unrestrained, he does not suffer from major losses. Everything he does is to benefit the country and the people. Whatever he thinks and does, he will do everything he can." This is the way to eternal prosperity. As long as you stick to your true intentions, you will be a famous minister and prime minister who will shine in history. Work hard, kid.”
These complimentary words came from Li Baiyao's mouth, which immediately made Fang Jun a little scared. This person's status may not be very high, but his qualifications are too old, his reputation is too good, and his character is well-known.
It is no exaggeration to say that such a sentence can double Fang Jun's worth!
Fang Jun bowed and said: "This junior is scared..."
"Haha, modesty is not the same as hypocrisy. I dare to argue with that stubborn old man Wei Zheng in the lobby. He not only calls him by his name but even dares to threaten his family with evil words. Looking at how many people in the Tang Dynasty have such courage ? I’m just complimenting you and you’re scared. Who are you kidding?”
Li Baiyao smiled with a teasing look on his face.
Fang Jun was a little embarrassed...
I didn't expect that my angry argument with Wei Zheng would spread to everyone so quickly. It's true that good things don't go out and bad things spread thousands of miles.
Li Chengqian smiled on the side and said: "Since teacher is cultivating in the temple, why don't we sit together and let our students listen to the teachings?"
Li Baiyao waved his hands helplessly: "Forget it, we are all young people in their prime, who would be patient with an old man making noises? I just came here to say hello when I saw the prince, you can just drink for fun. , I will not interfere with it for Fang Erlang.”
After saying this, he bowed his hands to Li Chengqian and walked away gracefully under the attendance of two servants.
Fang Jun looked at Li Baiyao's back and sighed in admiration: "I am seventy or eighty years old, but my body is still so strong and well-maintained. I heard that Mr. Li took a sixteen-year-old concubine last winter?"
"Nonsense!" Li Chengqian was so angry that he kicked Fang Jun. "Master Li has an upright character and flawless morals. How could he do such a dirty thing? It's just rumors spread by the people of Guanzhong. Don't slander Master Li!"
Fang Jun dusted off the place where Li Chengqian kicked him, curled his lips and said: "Your Highness, are you very free? Are you holding a practice banquet for no reason? Are you the kind of frivolous person who is greedy for fame? It's not as good as making such a big fanfare. Just let Wei Chen leave quietly without being surprised!”
A loud laugh came from the building: "Fang Erlang has already raised his eyebrows in Guanzhong this time when he went south, and the south of the Yangtze River was in shock. How can we talk about leaving quietly? Since he has attracted the attention of the world, His Highness the Crown Prince has practiced wine and practice, and there will be more in the history of the future. It’s a good story, and it’s wonderful that the masters and good ministers complement each other. ”
"Who is this? How dare you speak like this?" Fang Jun was surprised.
Your Majesty Li Er is in his prime. How dare you say that Li Chengqian and Fang Jun are wise and good ministers? No one will care about you seeking death, but you can't drag us down!
Li Chengqian smiled helplessly: "Everyone in the old Pei family is an anomaly, and none of them follows the rules and is honest! If others say this, it may be treason, and the imperial censor will definitely impeach him, but if Pei Xuanji said this, no one would People take it seriously.”
As they spoke, the two entered the building side by side.
At this time, it was probably a little early for Prince Li Chengqian's banquet, and there were only three or five people sitting on the floor in the building.
When they saw Fang Jun coming in with the prince, they all stood up and said politely: "Erlang."
They are usually common, such as Yu Chang, the son of Yu Shinan, Feng Yandao, the son of Feng Deyi, Chen Xuande, the son of Chen Shuda, the brother of Empress Chen, and Pei Xuanji, the son of Pei Ju, the "eternal mysterious minister".
The person who just spoke was Pei Xuanji.
Pei Xuanji is not famous in history, and Fang Jun doesn't pay much attention to it, but when it comes to his father, Pei Ju, he is very famous.
Why is it called "Eternal Mystery"?
Because Pei Ju is really the "eternal mystery"...
In history, there are countless loyal ministers and treacherous ministers. A loyal minister will be remembered for centuries and will be admired by future generations, while a treacherous minister will be reviled for eternity.
But in the vast river of history, there is just such a person who makes you unable to argue between loyalty and treachery...
The same person, in different periods, under different circumstances, in the hands of different kings, can play different roles - under a faint king, he is a sycophantic minister, but under a wise king, he is a good minister.
In the history of the late Sui Dynasty and the early Tang Dynasty, there was such a peculiar figure. He was both literary and talented. He once wrote "Picture Notes of the Western Regions" with beautiful words, which recorded the mountains and landforms of the forty-four countries in the Western Regions at that time. , customs and folk customs, recorded in great detail and very readable. He served in the four families of Yang Sui, Yu Wenji, Dou Jiande, and Li Tang for more than sixty years. "At the age of eighty, he is shrewd and never forgets."
What's even more peculiar is that he first flattered Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty and came up with many bad ideas that harmed the country and the people. He was a great sycophant; but after surrendering to the Tang Dynasty, he became a loyal and good minister and became an important admonisher of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty. .
This person is Pei Ju.
It would be no exaggeration to say that he is an eternal wonder. This person is like a mystery. No one can figure out what kind of person he is, what he is thinking, let alone what he will do next...
Everyone sat down according to the tables. After a while, guests came one after another, but many of them were unknown to Fang Jun. It seemed that they had recently taken refuge in the prince's service and took the opportunity to get closer. I guess Li Chengqian also sent his team to It means a little get-together.
These people are currently in official circles and have little reputation, but in time they will surely become important members of the empire.
The building became lively.
Pei Xuanji was obviously very active. He toasted Fang Jun with a glass of wine and asked: "Erlang is a genius. He sold a mere Quchifang for a sky-high price. In time, he will be as rich as the country, and he will enjoy endless gold and silver treasures." Why go to the south of the Yangtze River to swim in the muddy waters when you are so prosperous and wealthy?”
Feng Yandao was a short, fat, pretty boy. Hearing this, he also said: "The Jiangnan nobles have already announced that when Erlang arrives in the south of the Yangtze River, it will definitely make it difficult for you to move forward. The future of Erlang's trip is worrying."
Shortly before Fang Jun got married, Feng Yandao was engaged to Li Chengxia, the eldest princess of Huainan, the twelfth daughter of Emperor Gaozu, and was awarded the title of Commander-in-Chief and Tongshiren.
Suddenly, everyone in the building was talking about it, and they were not optimistic about Fang Jun going south.
Chen Xuande said more bluntly: "Jiangnan is controlled by the gentry. Whether it is the gentry with the surname of overseas Chinese who traveled south, or the gentry with the surname of Wu who has lived in Jiangdong for a long time, they are extremely xenophobic. They have always regarded Jiangnan as a forbidden area, and even the center of the imperial court is not allowed to interfere. . Now although I cannot resist Erlang due to the situation. Going south, this group of people is deeply rooted and luxuriant, and Erlang is afraid that it will be difficult to move forward. Erlang is in his prime. Instead of going to the south of the Yangtze River and getting stuck in the mud, he might as well stay in Chang'an to find a stable position, and one day he can be promoted step by step. Center.”
To be honest, Chen Xuande really meant well.
As a member of the Houchen royal family, no one knew better than him how powerful the Jiangnan nobles were.
Perhaps the fall of Hou Chen caused the Chen family to lose their aggressiveness, or perhaps the current situation forced them to hide their capabilities and bide their time. In short, Chen Xuande had a close relationship and was not optimistic about Fang Jun's ability to make a difference when he went south.
In fact, the deeper meaning is not to ridicule Fang Jun for "only knowing his merits but not his own abilities"? You just stay in Chang'an and rely on the two big trees of Fang Xuanling and His Majesty to slowly pass the qualifications... The brothers have been so hard these days, and I can't repay it, so I am coding hard... Chapter 1!
(End of chapter)